Characteristics and causes of indigenous over-representation in the criminal justice system: A Victorian case-study. Addressing Indigenous disadvantage was identified as a national priority by the Council of Australian Governments in 2002. Our research builds on this initiative by examining important policy questions that are central to Indigenous disadvantage within the justice system. This research adds substantial value to the existing national investment in the collection of data on Indige ....Characteristics and causes of indigenous over-representation in the criminal justice system: A Victorian case-study. Addressing Indigenous disadvantage was identified as a national priority by the Council of Australian Governments in 2002. Our research builds on this initiative by examining important policy questions that are central to Indigenous disadvantage within the justice system. This research adds substantial value to the existing national investment in the collection of data on Indigenous involvement in justice processes, and will assist in the development and implementation of programs to address what has previously been an intractable problem. A key element in the project is establishing strong links with Indigenous community representatives so that the results of the research are made available to those most directly concerned with them.Read moreRead less
Risk, Urban Fire Protection and Security Networks. Urban fire prevention is a critical field for public security and economic development. As such, it has always been shaped by factors beyond those of simple technological growth. These include major unanticipated events and the responses to them by many state and non-state agencies with divergent interests and knowledge bases. By analysing the resulting 'technological politics', the project will examine the ways in which this strategic field ....Risk, Urban Fire Protection and Security Networks. Urban fire prevention is a critical field for public security and economic development. As such, it has always been shaped by factors beyond those of simple technological growth. These include major unanticipated events and the responses to them by many state and non-state agencies with divergent interests and knowledge bases. By analysing the resulting 'technological politics', the project will examine the ways in which this strategic field has taken on a risk-based preventative orientation. This will contribute new perspectives and considerations for the assessment and development of fire prevention and urban security in the 21st century.Read moreRead less
Striking Hard at crime: criminal justice practice in China today. Australia has established a bilateral human rights dialogue with China. Chinese society is increasingly violent and its crime problems are increasingly transnational in nature. Some of the crimes targeted in China's current anti-crime policy have direct impact on our political refugee policy in Australia, in particular, Falungong adherents applying for refugee status. It is therefore vital that we strengthen our knowledge of this ....Striking Hard at crime: criminal justice practice in China today. Australia has established a bilateral human rights dialogue with China. Chinese society is increasingly violent and its crime problems are increasingly transnational in nature. Some of the crimes targeted in China's current anti-crime policy have direct impact on our political refugee policy in Australia, in particular, Falungong adherents applying for refugee status. It is therefore vital that we strengthen our knowledge of this area of Asian law. This project aims to strengthen Australia's understanding of China's key politico-legal issues in order to better understand and engage with this emerging world superpower. Read moreRead less
Community Capacity Building in Child Protection Through Responsive Regulation. Neglect and abuse of children is a critical issue in this country. The number of cases reported to state authorities is increasing. Recent estimates show that a child is abused every 2 minutes in Australia. This research develops an innovative approach that protects children while promoting greater support for families. By harnessing and building community capacity this approach has the potential to make more efficien ....Community Capacity Building in Child Protection Through Responsive Regulation. Neglect and abuse of children is a critical issue in this country. The number of cases reported to state authorities is increasing. Recent estimates show that a child is abused every 2 minutes in Australia. This research develops an innovative approach that protects children while promoting greater support for families. By harnessing and building community capacity this approach has the potential to make more efficient use of existing resources through earlier intervention and improved cooperation with families. This project aims to reduce the incidents and harm caused by child abuse and neglect in ways that strengthen communities, while enhancing the integrity of child protection agencies.Read moreRead less
Sentencing and public confidence: public perceptions and the role of the public in sentencing practice and policy. Public confidence is critical to the effective operation of the criminal justice system. This project will generate much needed current national data on public attitudes about sentencing. It examines avenues for the incorporation of public opinion into sentencing policy and processes, and provides accurate measures of the factors involved. The results will enable governments to res ....Sentencing and public confidence: public perceptions and the role of the public in sentencing practice and policy. Public confidence is critical to the effective operation of the criminal justice system. This project will generate much needed current national data on public attitudes about sentencing. It examines avenues for the incorporation of public opinion into sentencing policy and processes, and provides accurate measures of the factors involved. The results will enable governments to respond to periodic crises in public confidence in constructive and informed ways, rather than act in response to law and order rhetoric, linked with harsh sentencing regimes, and costly and potentially unnecessary increases in incarceration rates.Read moreRead less